MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Wednesday granted time to the Enforcement Directorate (ED)to file its response to a petition filed by Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, aged 74. Goyal’s petition challenges his arrest in an alleged money laundering case, asserting that it was conducted unlawfuly.
Hiten Venegaokar, counsel for the ED requested additional time during Wednesday’s court proceedings.
Senior counsel Amit Desai, representing Goyal, will now present arguments on October 6.
On September 1, the ED arrested Goyal in connection with a money laundering case involving an alleged fraud of Rs 538 crore at Canara Bank.
Goyal’s plea argues that the arrest was carried out without complying with the mandatory requirements of Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Goyal’s petition, filed through his advocate Ameet Naik, asserts that he is entitled to immediate release. The special PMLA court has placed him in judicial custody and has allowed only bedding, without permitting home-cooked food or private doctor visits.
Last Friday, junior counsel Karan Kadam, representing Goyal, brought the matter before a bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse for an urgent hearing, and it was scheduled for Wednesday.
